Scratch Your Ax Washboard Basics
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Musical Wasboard Playing
Watching, and of course playing with, other washboard players is really one of the better ways to learn how to play this fine instrument.
When I started playing I didn't have a clue and unfortunately, didn't think of searching the web right away. And even when I did, I didn't think of searching for videos so I didn't find much information on how to play one.
So when I did, I made a website to list the different washboard websites I had found and share ideas as to how to put stuff on my washboard: Jazz Up Your Washboard.
However, many people visiting that site are searching for advice on how to play a washboard, a question that not easily answered although the answer is easy: you tap and scratch!
Yet at first your tapping and scratching doesn't sound like the pros. What are you doing wrong? There must be some secret thing that you still need to find out, right? Sorry, no secret. Washboard playing is all about tapping and scratching, the problem is that it seems really easy and it's actually kind of hard.
But not that hard, with time and lots of practice you too will thrill a crowd with your rhythmic skills! But I can't help more than that. There are many different washboard playing styles and what is good for me, may not be good for you.
Below are a few rubboard playing lessons and and a couple of other links. I've also posted a whole bunch of washboard player videos on my musical washboard videos page. I am still learning a lot by playing with my favorite ones, watching what these great musicians are doing and practicing the patterns I figure out - often with a metronome - on a daily basis. If you do this, little by little your sound is going to change and improve, and it's a great feeling.
And don't be shy, find other musician to play with!
How to play the washboard
I truly believe that the answer to that is: any way you want! - although usually you use your hands. :PThere are many different music forms that can be improved with a washboard: Blues, Bluegrass, Zydeco, Folk, Jazz, Rock... You can primp up your board or leave it "au natural" like a rubboard.
For the first time player: consider that your two basic possibilities are tapping and scratching. For instance, a simple 4 beat rhythm could be played: "scratch (short and fast), tap, tap, tap" or the variation: "tap, tap, scratch (short and fast), tap". Keep in mind that in both cases the "scratch" needs to take the same amount of time as the "tap".
Otherwise, since a long "scratch" can easily take up the time of two, three or even more "taps" you will need to adjust the pattern to fit the rhythm. Try this for instance: scratch a 2 beat (tap) long "scratch" followed by 2 "taps". "scraaaaaaaaatch, tap, tap, scraaaaaaaaatch, tap, tap..."
If you think you can explain this in a more appropriate way, you are welcome! (send a message) :-)
A metronome is useful to get a feeling for this.
Scratching up gives a different feel than scratching down. Scratching quickly gives a different sound than scratching slowly. Alternate your hands: right, left, right, etc... Meet other players, play with other musicians, play along with recorded music... Practice, practice again and practice some more!
Some folks prefer tapping a lot using the scratches as occasional accentuations, other do a lot more tapping then scratching. And then there are those who scratch and tap simultaneously! One hand scratching out the rhythm while the other taps. It's all good!
Washboard Demo - Big Fat Mama - Honey Boy
A comment you often hear in the growing selection of "how to play the washboard" video concerns playing too much. Which is good advice, however it does depend on the music, the audience, the other musicians...
Note that LittleBrotherBlues is primarily a guitarist so his advice comes from the point of view of the guitarist you might be playing with. And it's a fact that washboards can take up a lot of space. So hear the wisdom, find your own rhythms and remember to listen to the music as a whole. Is what you are playing enhancing it or just covering it up? There are enough washboard players out there who manage to whack out a ruckus, much to the enjoyment of all, so it's entirely possible.
Washboard Chaz teaches washboard technique 1
In this video he shows us a few basic rhythms, they are not that hard to learn but to get them going as smoothly as Washboard Chaz is going to take a lot of practicing, so don't be discouraged. It's well worth it!
Stuff to play the washboard with...
Thimbles seem to have become the traditional instrument for scrubboard playing but there are many other things that you can use: spoons, bottle openers, whisks, drum sticks and brushes come to mind. Different metals give a different feel and sound, for instance I use brass thimbles which I prefer over the stainless steel ones, and using wood is a different thing altogether.Personally I'm also using nylon brushes (the thinner metal brushes tend to get stuck between the edges of the rubbing surface and the wood) - the kind drummers use - for a some songs and really like the sounds you can get with them. Bottle openers or anything you hold are also worth trying since it changes your relation to the board and just might suit you better. And when things get rocking there's nothing like a wisp or two to get the crowd grinning.
On thing to consider if you use an old antique washboard, and even a new one, is that if you use hard stainless steel thimbles or whatever on a zinc board (for instance) the harder metal will have the upper side. I'm sure you've seen enough scrubboard faces completely deformed or/and rubbed through. Whereas if you use the softer brass or zinc coated brass, plastic or even wood thimbles, they will be the ones that take the pounding.
Washboard Chaz teaches washboard technique 2
Learn to think like a drummer
Kind Of...
Jukebox has set up a series of "learn how to play the drums" pages that are a good place to get ideas. Just transpose the Drum Tabs. For instance your woodblock or just the wood part of your washboard could be the "bass" (B), the metal your snare drum, find a cymbal or bell (or two).Practicing rhythms starting with the right or left hand alternatively, or while rubbing a steady beat with one hand while tapping with the other - for instance - will help your coordination. Be inventive, spend time trying to get different sounds from your boar and whatever attachments you've added to it. You can imitate a few of the hi-hat effects by hitting the cymbal while simultaneously damping it with your palm, or damping it after you hit it.
Scrubboard Design Of The Month
Support this lens & share your love of washboards
Featured this month:
A design from Rattlebrained Rags, my shop @ Zazzle:
No Washboards! by rattlebrained
Reader Feedback
Please feel welcome to share your advice and comment or criticize mine and I would love to hear from you so please leave your mark!
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LizRobertson
Aug 23, 2011 @ 10:43 pm | delete
- Liked your video! Laissez les bon temps rouler!
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bchadra
May 2, 2011 @ 9:10 am | delete
- I think the wash/scrub board is one of the most unique pieces in this type of music. Zydeco influence is a most pleasing genre. Great job on this lens.
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cid in Kodiak
May 5, 2010 @ 9:09 pm | delete
- Do you have any idea where I could take scrub board lessons in New Orleans? I am going to spend my Christmas break there in Dec. and want to take my board with me and learn and laugh.
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Evets
May 6, 2010 @ 2:08 am | delete
- Hi Cid,
Sorry, I don't know anyone personally that you could ask, you might check Washboards.com's washboard player list: http://www.washboards.com/players.htm - they list three (the great Washboard Chaz of course: http://www.washboardchaz.com/). I searched a bit but it's really time consuming as you probably know. Maybe it's worth asking someone like Tee Don Landry (who make rubboards: http://www.keyofzrubboards.com/).
Good luck!
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billy
Jan 13, 2009 @ 8:42 am | in reply to Evets | delete
- I've found that if you mount a rubber washer between your tin can or whatever you attach to your board, not only does it give a better sound, but it tends to absorb the impact when you hit it and lasts longer by reducing metal fatigue.
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Old and New Times Washboard Playing on Amazon
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About me
Here's a video of Pony Blues, a tune we - The Crawfish Blues Band - played this last summer one windy lakeside evening.
Photos of washboard on Flickr
Seaching with tag "washboard" on Flickr
by Evets
A visual artist as well as an aspiring washboard player, I live in the Swiss Jura mountains.
About 6-7 years ago with friends who shared my interes...
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